Joe Burrow Has A Clear Goal As He Can Take Advantage Of The Steelers' Secondary In Week 18

The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently preparing for their regular season finale which will be played on Saturday night against the Cincinnati Bengals. Pittsburgh took down Cincinnati the first time the two teams met in 2024, but this matchup should be more intense, as there are plenty of playoff implications on the line. The Bengals must win and get some additional outside help in order to clinch the final spot in the AFC, while seeding is still up in the air for the Steelers, depending on if they win or lose.

The last time these two teams clashed, it was a high scoring game that the Steelers won by a score of 44-38. It's unlikely that type of score occurs again, but that is certainly a possibility. Cincinnati is quarterbacked by arguably the best quarterback in the league in Joe Burrow, and he is determined to get his team into the playoffs. He has been throwing the ball to Ja'Marr Chase since the two were in college together, and the wide receiver is on pace to capture the coveted receiving triple crown. Burrow was asked about this on Wednesday, where he told the media he would make sure Chase finished the season with the prestigious achievement. 

"I think a couple of them are pretty out of reach for everybody else," Burrow said. "I think receptions, he's got like a seven or eight catch lead. Something like that. I'll make sure he gets it."

The triple crown for receivers happens when a player leads the league in receptions, receiving touchdowns, and receiving yards. Chase has been on pace to capture the milestone for most of the season, and it seems like it will happen with a decent game against the Steelers. He has been the best player at his position throughout the year, but the Steelers will look to stop Chase from etching his name in the history books. 

Chase is currently in first place in receiving yards, and second place is 133 yards behind him. The wide receiver has 117 receptions with the next closest player being at 109. Chase has also all but locked up the lead for receiving touchdowns as he has 16 and the next closest receiver has just 12. The only statistical category that is really up in the air could be receptions, but if Chase plays against the Steelers like he usually does, he should have no issue locking up the title.

Pittsburgh's defense has really struggled over the last several weeks, and it is going to be hard for the group to get back on track against such a highly-potent offense. The Bengals can move the ball at will, so the Steelers better hope the defense fixed all of its communication issues that have been plaguing them during their losing streak.

Chase played well during his first game against the Steelers in 2024. The wide receiver hauled in six passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. He likely already has the triple crown sealed up, but if he can put together another performance like that, the crown will certainly be his.

Steelers Have Some Question Marks At Cornerback Ahead Of Matchup With Bengals

Second-year cornerback Joey Porter Jr. suffered an injury during Pittsburgh's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The injury caused him to miss the matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs, but he is expected to return to the lineup against the Bengals. This is good news for the Steelers, but the young cornerback struggled in the first matchup against Cincinnati. The defensive back committed six penalties which included three pass interference calls and two defensive holdings. 

The health of Donte Jackson is also up in the air for Saturday's game, so the talented Bengals wide receiver versus the questionable secondary of Pittsburgh is something to keep an eye on as the game unfolds.

What do you expect from Burrow and the rest of the Bengals offense on Saturday? Comment below.

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